Janelle Monae Boogies While the World Burns in 'Dance Apocalyptic' Video

Funk-soul star to release 'The Electric Lady' September 10

When last we saw Janelle Monáe, she and Erykah Badu were shattering their space-shackles while smashing stereotypes in the futuristic video for "Q.U.E.E.N.," a song that's since been remixed by the time-traveling purple elf known as Prince. But the new clip for the Archandroid's footloose clapper "Dance Apocalyptic" is set in an alternate version of present-day America — a place where zombies prowl, earthquakes shudder, fires blaze, and locusts swarm while one brave soul known as the Electric Lady does her best to boogie against the end of the world. That woman is Monáe, of course, and The Electric Lady is also the title of her next album, due September 10 via Atlantic/Wondaland/Bad Boy. The video is directed by Wendy Morgan and appears to be an excerpt from a short film by bandmate Chuck Lightning. According to Pitchfork, "Dance Apocalyptic" will also feature in Monáe's upcoming CoverGirl commercials.